I walk up to the beam. I’ve got this,in the bag! I thought. I thought. “Kelly?” The judge announces as I have a grin on my face as I salute. I get through my easy-peasy mount. Of course you make this I assumed. You always do. I step up to the end- and I whip my head back and fly off the beam like I had never even begun to train the skill before. I instantly know what the outcome will be-

A fall.

I plop off the beam- instantly getting that what-have-I-done feeling. I finished the rest of my beam routine without that passion and grin I had at first. I complete my stuck-dismount and solute the judge and walk off.

I am speechless.

“It’s ok… You couldn’t have saved it.” My coach said, trying to comfort me. I just wish I could have I said, in my head. I sat down, not able to say anything. “Get rid of the face” my coach said- as the often says to me when I get that pouty-face. I just wanted to curl into a ball and disappear.

When it all first happened, I felt such regret and hatred for myself, but now I realize falling is just all a learning experience, and it motivated me even more in the gym. I now realize that everyone makes mistakes- and I am no exeption. Since my incident, I had also wanted to win beam even more than I already did after claiming the silver medal at my first meet. This is why this is my favorite mistake.